Nature unfolds and reveals itself like a flower, first reluctantly and then with grace. Armed with just a little curiosity, looking with intention, and allowing yourself to be in the moment and place, rewards one with new wonder. Seeing and appreciating more each time.

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In the past few days, still interested in finding warblers, we visited Prairie Oaks Metro Park and closer to home Griggs Reservoir Park in the hopes of seeing a few stragglers. With the exception of the Prothonotary, the warblers didn’t cooperate but fortunately other things did. Whether it’s warblers or “other things” we’re always amazed by the celebration of life this time of year and the beauty that’s often found in the ordinary. The pictures below were taken over just a few outings, typically involving walks of at least two or three miles, sometimes longer, as we search for birds, bugs, and plants. It is a source of continuous fascination that so much can be found so close to home in central Ohio.

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A shaft of light finds grass along a stream, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.

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It’s always nice when “the reptiles” decide to join the cast.

Next to the path a turtle acts none to happy about our presence, Prairie Oak Metro Park.

A Bullfrog shows a nice profile, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna).

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Still in “warbler mode” on a recent outing, we weren’t prepared for all the insects we would see.

Familiar Bluet, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna).

Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna).

Inch Worm, (Donna).

Daddy Longlegs, (Donna)

Spicebush Swallowtail

Silver Spotted Skipper, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.

A very common Cabbage White, Griggs Reservoir Park.

Painted Lady, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna).

Virginia Ctenucha, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.

Viceroy, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.

Eight-spotted Forester Moth, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna).

Large Lace-boarder Moth, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).

Milkweed Beetle, Griggs Reservoir Park.

Silvery Checkerspot, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna).

Green Bee on Coneflower, Griggs Reservoir Park.

Hackberry Emperor, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).

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Where there are bees and butterflies there will be wildflowers or maybe it’s the other way around.

Butterfly Weed, Griggs Reservoir Park.

In grassy areas and meadows English Plantain is everywhere, Griggs Reservoir Park is no exception.

Very small bees visit the very small flowers of the English Plantain.

Hairy Wild Petunia (Ruellia humilis), Griggs Reservoir Park.

Black-eyed Susans, Griggs Reservoir Park.

Thimbleweed, Griggs Reservoir Park.

Early Meadow Rue, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).

Day Lily, Griggs Reservoir Park.

Goatsbeard, Griggs Reservoir Park.

Moth Mullein, Griggs Reservoir Park.

Chicory, Griggs Reservoir Park.

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While we were excited to see Prothonotary Warblers nesting so close to home there was no storage of other birds to fascinate.

We’d been seeing this nesting Prothonotary Warbler for a few weeks in Griggs Reservoir Park. We finally were able to get some pictures.

It must be nesting nearby because at one point it was observed taking food to it’s young.

Preening.

No spot is missed!

The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is not common this time of year in Griggs reservoir Park.

A Downy Woodpecker making effective use of it’s tail, Griggs Reservoir Park.

Recently we paddled the north end of Alum Creek Reservoir not far from our home in Columbus and then a couple of days later ventured about sixty miles due south to paddle Paint Creek. Given that it’s mid-summer we weren’t real optimistic about what we’d see. That said, one thing we observed which seemed rather counterintuitive given the summer’s midday heat was that the birds were much more active and approachable midday. This is something we’ve become accustomed to when looking for butterflies, dragon and damselflies, but necessary for other creatures. Of course, it is the insect time of year so we were not surprised to see plenty of them but in addition we were fortunate to see birds including immature Kingbirds, Cedar Waxwings, Baltimore Orioles, and hawks.

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For those interested in Ospreys, paddling the north end of Alum Creek Reservoir can be very rewarding this time of year. Ospreys and their recently fledged offspring seem to be everywhere. During our paddle we also had two Bald Eagle siting’s, however, they didn’t hang around for a photograph. Many Green Herons were also seen as we explored the shoreline and numerous coves. With lake levels slightly low exposing shoreline rocks numerous solitary and spotted sandpipers were also seen.

Osprey, north end of Alum creek reservoir, FZ200

Closer look, FZ200

Adult Osprey, FZ200

Taking flight, Donna, FZ200

Flag-tailed Spinyleg, Alum Creek, Donna, FZ200

Paddling up Alum Creek, FZ200

Long-jawed Orbweaver, Alum Creek, Donna, FZ200

One of many Green Herons, this one was strutting it’s stuff, Alum creek, Donna, FZ200

Fall Phlox, Alum Creek, Donna, FZ200

Amberwing, Alum creek, Donna, FZ200

Very young Map turtle, alum Creek, Donna, FZ200

Solitary Sandpiper, Alum Creek, Donna, FZ200

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The paddle up Paint Creek is stunning, it’s hard the believe you’re in Ohio. As the day progressed it seemed easier to get close enough to Kingfishers so that the resulting photograph didn’t leave you wondering what kind of bird it was.

Often we find ourselves walking along residential streets on the return leg of an urban hike to Griggs Park. We usually don’t expect to discover anything special but you never know what you’re going to see.

Immature Red-tailed Hawk just outside our kitchen window, FZ200.

Immature Cooper’s Hawk, residential street near our home, FZ200.

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We hope you’ve been able to get out and explore and appreciate nature this summer. Thanks for stopping by.

We’ve been busy documenting nature’s summer in central Ohio. If you are fascinated by insects this is your time of year but be prepared to look closely. The summer heat has done little to discourage the wildflowers which in a shout of color announce their presence. The below shots were taken along Griggs Reservoir and Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park. I hope they put you in a summer kind of mood.

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Milk Weed Beetle, Griggs Park, Donna

Wild Lettuce, Griggs Park, Donna

Halberd-leaved Rose-mallow, Griggs Park, Donna

Wild Potato Vine, Griggs Park, Donna

Barely seen, dragonflies hover over a reflection, Griggs Reservoir

Fallen branch and wildflowers, Griggs Park

Gray Headed Cone Flowers, Griggs Park

Cup Plant, Griggs Park

Wild Chicory, Griggs Park

Path to the water, Griggs Park

Thistle, Griggs Park

Pearl Crescent, Griggs Park

Wasp, Griggs Park, Donna

Eastern Pondhawk,(F), Griggs Park, Donna

Wing Stem, Griggs Park, Donna

Goldfinch, Griggs Park, Donna

Hackberry Emperor, Griggs Park, Donna

Fireworks in green, Griggs park, Donna

Biennial Gaura, Griggs Park, Donna

Widow Skimmer (F), Griggs Park, Donna

Least Skipper, Griggs Park, Donna

Rose Pink, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, Donna

Leopard Frog, Battelle Darby Greek Metro Park, Donna

Hummingbird Moth, Battelle Derby Creek Metro Park, Donna

Phlox, Griggs Park, Donna

Catbird, Griggs Park, Donna

Ducklings, Griggs Park, Donna

Fishing, Griggs Reservoir, Donna

Black Swallowtail, Griggs Park, Donna

Hairy Wood Mint, Griggs Park, Donna

Coneflowers, Griggs Park

Peck’s Skipper, Griggs Park

Eastern Wood Pewee, Griggs Park

Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park

Royal Catchfly, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park

Sunflower, Griggs Park

Royal Catchfly, a closer look.

Looking for Bison, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park

Bison, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park

Bluebird, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park

Kingbird, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park

Barn Swallow, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park

Luna Moth on our house.

Quiet morning, Griggs Reservoir

Great Blue Heron, Griggs Reservoir

Black Crowned Night Heron, Griggs Reservoir

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Hope you enjoyed this summer celebration of nature in central Ohio. Thanks for stopping by.

Sometimes when in nature it’s not about a new discovery to photograph, it’s about being in the moment, awake, content with the “usual” flowers, insects, or birds, their motion, colors, sounds, feeling the cool early morning air, drawing it into our lungs, aware as treetop leave rustle and small ripples appear along the reservoir shore.

Reflection of a small branch breaking the water’s surface.

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But even during those times, in that experience, we do see things that draw us out, that asked to be photographed, and in doing so embrace us in a feeling of oneness with something that is part but also beyond ourselves. In that moment time, as if also captured by the photograph, stands still.

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Recent dry weather has resulted in low water levels.

Scioto River below Griggs Dam.

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Flower’s continue to be a part of the wonder.

Moth mullein, an invasive species native to Eurasia and North Africa, it has naturalized in North America..

White Mulberry, Griggs Park.

Scarlet Pimpernel, probably an escapee, (Donna), Griggs Park.

Backyard Day Lily.

Thimbleweed, Griggs Park.

Butterfly Weed, Griggs Park.

Motherwort, (Donna), Griggs Park.

Chicory, Griggs Park.

Pokeweed, Griggs Park.

Wild Lettuce, (Donna), Griggs Park.

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When looking at flowers other things are seen.

Female Powdered Dancer, (Donna) Griggs Park.

Female Blue Fronted Dancer, (Donna), Griggs Park.

Stream Bluets, (Donna), Griggs Park.

Blue Fronted Dancer, (Donna), Griggs Park.

Powdered Dancer, (Donna), Griggs Park.

Dusky Dancer, (Donna), Griggs Park.

Widow Skimmer, (Donna), Griggs Park.

Question Mark, (Donna), Griggs Park.

Question Mark, (Donna), Griggs Park.

Bronze Copper, Griggs Park.

Hackberry Emperor, (Donna), Griggs Park.

Hackberry Emperor, Griggs Park.

Crane Fly along the Scioto River below Griggs Dam.

Black and Yellow Wasp, (Donna), Griggs Park.

Canadian Petrophila Moths, (Donna), Griggs Park.

Black Swallowtail caterpillar, (Donna) Griggs Park.

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On a recent walk an Osprey was spotted in what appeared to be an agitated state.

Osprey being dive bombed by a Baltimore Oriole. Along the Scioto below Griggs Dam

The oriole kept at it.

The Osprey finally flew away.

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We’ve also been fortunate to enjoy a few other birds.

Eastern Phoebe, (immature), Griggs Park.

Baltimore Oriole, Griggs Park.

With an insect.

Prothonotary warbler, (immature) Griggs Park. We have at least two nesting pairs along the reservoir and river just below the dam.

Griggs Reservoir nature.

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There seem to be lots of chipmunks right now.

Chipmunk, (Donna), Griggs Park.

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Being a mom isn’t easy.

All right kids could you swim the other way I’m getting dizzy.

That’s better!

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Sometimes being in nature just means relaxing.

Not a lunker but a nice Smallmouth Bass that went swimming right after this picture, Griggs Reservoir.

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Sometimes the opportunity to reflect on what’s been experienced is as good as reliving it a second time.

Many of us have had the opportunity to visit a live butterfly exhibit at a local botanical garden and marvel at their beauty and diversity. Seeing a large number of different species in that setting would not be a great accomplishment. But how about 12 species, more than 10 in just one three hour period, all at a park near your home in the middle of an Ohio city?

Given the threats to the area in which they over winter in Mexico, we’re always excited when we see a Monarch.

Monarch, (Donna)

Monarch Butterfly

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It’s been a great year for seeing the American Snout.

American Snout, (Donna)

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Hackberry Emperors are common but beautiful nonetheless.

Hackberry Emperor, (Donna)

Hackberry Emperor, (Donna)

Hackberry Emperor

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Another common butterfly, the Clouded Sulphur.

Clouded Sulphur, (Donna)

Clouded Sulphur

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A Red-spotted Purple even made an appearance.

A Red-spotted Purple strikes a nice pose.

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Red Admirals may have been the most common.

Red Admirals in the rain garden.

Red Admiral

Red Admiral

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We were pretty excited when we saw a Black Swallowtail.

Male Black Swallowtail, (Donna)l

Female black Swallowtail, (Donna)

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Other flying critters were also seen.

A Song Sparrow overlooks one of the rain gardens at Griggs Park.

Rain Garden Goldfinch

Hummingbird moths also like the rain gardens.

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Closer to home, our mail carrier spotted this Luna moth while making her rounds.

Luna Moth, taken with the mail carriers cell phone.

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Perhaps the rain gardens, that were built to keep road runoff from flowing directly into the reservoir, are the reason for all the butterflies, we’re not sure as some butterflies were seen at other locations. Whatever the reason, we’ve been one of the beneficiaries.

We thought before we did another post on Algonquin Provincial Park, we’d take a look around our neighborhood since returning from the north country, and see what’s going on.

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While we were gone and since our return there’s been a lot of rain in central Ohio. This has left the reservoirs high and muddy, conditions hardly conducive to canoeing. For a few days we contented ourselves exploring on “dry” land. Finally yesterday, deciding that a paddle was in order, off we went to explore Griggs Reservoir. My wife was thinking that the waterfalls might have benefited from all the rain, and since we last looked at them a couple of years ago, they might be worth checking out. I was a bit skeptical as conditions have to be just right for the waterfalls to show well.

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Water overflowing Griggs Reservoir Dam inundating the trees below.

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With rain then sun, early morning walks reveal a special beauty.

Sunlight filters through the trees.

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As the flowers and insects celebrate.

Goats Beard, (Donna)

Stream Bluet, (Donna)

Red Admiral, (Donna)

Ailanthus Webworm Moth with fliy

Hackberry Emperor Butterfly

Coneflower

Milkweed

Pearl Cresent

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The birds, not to be left out, were taking advantage of the insect bounty and whatever else was offered by the rains.

Eastern Phoebe

Babies, (Donna)

A Kingbird waits for it’s next meal.

A mother mallard with family cruise for edible tidbits washed into the reservoir.

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The primary purpose of our paddle was to see the waterfalls. We weren’t disappointed.

Those were the words of our son when he saw our pictures of butterflies congregating on a small tree. The butterflies were noticed yesterday at water’s edge while walking along Griggs Reservoir. They were very numerous but dispersed in groups around the tree making a total count difficult. It wasn’t exactly something we had seen before. Usually it’s a butterfly here and another one there. In the past, when seen groups, there’s usually some identifiable substance attracting them and it’s not always something pleasant.

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In this case, whatever the attraction was (perhaps tree sap?), several different species could relate to it, with the Hackberry Emperors being the most numerous and aggressive in their efforts to keep the others away.

Hackberry Emperors find something good on the bark of a tree.

After being chased off, a Red Admiral waits it’s turn.

Not easily bullied, a Question Mark joined in, (Donna).

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After we left the tree a very small but beautiful butterfly was noticed on a clover flower.

Perched on clover, a very small, very beautiful, Eastern-tailed Blue, (Donna).

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There were also other insects about.

Stream Bluet Damselflies mating, (Donna).

More mating, Apple Bark Borer Moth, (Donna).

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There was no shortage of flowers to keep the insects busy.

Water Willow

Water Willow

Emerging Coneflower, (Donna)

Heart leafed Umbrella-wort, (Donna)

Take 2.

Horse Nettle, (Donna)

Design in green, (Donna)

Morning Glory casts it’s early morning shadow.

Rain Garden sunflowers, (Donna)

Tall Meadow-rue, (Donna)

Emerging Queen Ann’s Lace, (Donna)

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Our friends the turtles were happy to make an appearance. One river rock appeared to be particularly attractive.

Scioto River Map Turtles, (Donna)

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Recent rains had brought out some interesting fungus.

Rhodotus Palmatus, (Donna)

Common Split Gill, (Donna)

From below, (Donna)

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Unlike my wife, I spent most of my time looking for birds and other creatures (perhaps a Mink?) to photograph. With the leaves providing ample cover for the larger creatures, small things carried the day.